The Washington Capitals held practice Wednesday morning ahead of their clash against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday (7:00 P.M. ET on NBC Sports Washington). Here is the latest from Medstar Capitals Iceplex.

Lines & Pairs

Capitals’ Wednesday practice lines:

Ovechkin-Backstrom-Wilson
Vrana-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Hagelin-Eller-Panik
Leipsic-Dowd-Hathaway

Kempny-Carlson
Orlov-Jensen
Siegenthaler-Gudas

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) January 15, 2020

Rookie goaltender Ilya Samsonov will be in net Thursday night. That will be his second straight home start. “He’s earned it,” head coach Todd Reirden commented. On Monday, Samsonov recorded his first career NHL shutout in the 2-0 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Ilya Samsonov will be in net Thursday against New Jersey, per Reirden. Second straight home start for the rookie goaltender.

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) January 15, 2020

Goalie Zimmerman

Washington Nationals’ first baseman and World Series champion Ryan Zimmerman suited up and played goaltender at today’s practice. Between stopping some Ovechkin one-timers to experiencing a shootout, he called the day “great” yet “terrifying”.

Ryan Zimmerman played goalie at Caps practice, hilarity ensured and @backstrom19 approved 😂

Watch: https://t.co/UrmqKHJL5t pic.twitter.com/nrQQtKMQzW

— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) January 15, 2020

Post-Practice Comments

Head Coach Todd Reirden on the Backstrom extension, Ryan Zimmerman’s goalie practice, and #CapsDevils pic.twitter.com/l1qEhirxOR

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 15, 2020

The Goodest Boy: Daily Post on Captain

Good luck with choosing your favorite. They’re all so cute!

#nationalhatday which one is ur fave ? pic.twitter.com/FBEASZaLCz

— Captain (@CapsPup) January 15, 2020

Essential News

Capitals’ Backstrom: “It’s Important For Me To Stay In Washington. It Has Become Me And My Family’s Home For The Last Thirteen Years.” (NoVa Caps)

Report: NHL All-Star Weekend To Debut New Skills Competition Featuring Players Shooting Pucks From Stands (NoVa Caps)

What Nicklas Backstrom’s new contract means for Braden Holtby and Capitals’ future (The Athletic DC)

Fixing the Powerplay Funk: How Can the Washington Capitals Get Their Powerplay Back on Track? (NoVa Caps)

Capitals’ Nicklas Backstrom: “I Had One Goal In Mind And That Was To Stay Here” (NoVa Caps)

Caps keep Cup window wide open with Backstrom extension (The Score)

‘Scarlet Caps’ Hold 2020 Hockey N’ Heels Event (Photos) (NoVa Caps)

Holtby, Ovechkin contracts ‘tricky’ for Capitals after Backstrom deal (NHL)

By Della Young

The boys react to the news of the @backstrom19 contract extension. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/gf8AMyYOn2

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 15, 2020